dices of his sect, and being of the same fierce disposition, he would pay little regard to the remonstrance of an Erastian divine, as he would politely term me.→ And now, farewell, my young friend; for the present I must not weary out the Major's indulgence, that I may obtain his permission to visit you again in the course of the day." bas bouwet row M «i! ABOUT noon Mr Morton returned and brought an invitation from Major Melville that Mr Waverley would honour him with his company to dinner, notwithstanding the unpleasant affair which detained him at Cairnvreckan, from which he should heartily rejoice to see Mr Waverley completely extricated. The truth was, that Mr Morton's favourable report and opinion had somewhat staggered the preconceptions of the old soldier concerning Edward's supposed accession to the mutiny in the regiment; and in the unfortunate state of the country, the mere suspicion of disaffection, or an inclination to join the insurgent Jacobites, might infer crimina lity indeed, but certainly not dishonour. Besides, a person whom the Major trusted, had reported to him a contradiction of the agitating news of the preceding evening, According to this second edition of the intelligence, the Highlanders had with drawn from the Lowland frontier with the purpose of following the army in their march to Inverness. The Major was at a loss, indeed, to reconcile this information with the well-known abilities of some of the gentlemen in the Highland army, yet it was the course which was likely to be most agreeable to others. He remembered the same policy had detained them in the north in the year 1715, and he anticipated ́a similar termination to the insurrection, as upon that occasion. This news put him in such good humour, that he readily ac quiesced in Mr Morton's proposal to pay some hospitable attention to his unfortu nate guest, and voluntarily added, he hoped the whole affair would prove a youthful escapade, which might be easily atoned by a short confinement. This kind mediator had some trouble to prevail on his young friend to accept the invitation. He dared not urge to him the real motive, which was a good-natured wish to secure a favourable report of Wa verley's case from Major Melville to Go. vernor Blakeney. He remarked, from the flashes of our hero's spirit, that touching upon this topic would be sure to defeat his purpose. He therefore pleaded that the invitation argued the Major's disbelief of any part of the accusation, which was inconsistent with Waverley's conduct as a soldier and a man of honour, and that to de eline his courtesy might be interpreted into a consciousness that it was unmerited. In short, he so far satisfied Edward that the manly and proper course was to meet the Major on easy terms, that, suppressing his strong dislike again to encounter his cold and punctilious civility, Waverley agreed to be guided by his new friend. ca The meeting was stiff and formal enough. But Edward, having accepted the invita Anemontuos rode & yd bac tion, and his mind being really soothed and relieved by the kindness of Morton, held himself bound to behave with ease, though he could not affect cordiality. The Major was somewhat of a bon-vivant, and his wine was excellent. He told his old cam see 307 1 paign stories, and displayed much knowledge of men and manners. Mr Morton had an internal fund of placid and nd quiet gaiety, which seldom failed to enliven enliven any small party in which he found himself pleasantly seated. Waverley, whose life to the predo was a dream, gave ready way minating impulse, and became the most lively of the party. He had at all times remarkable natural powers of conversa tion, though easily silenced by discourage 2913 1638 ment. On the present occasion, he of vipend himself 5 761 upon leaving on the mɔijay Ch of his et tured lengr companions a favourable impression of one 33 who, under such disastrous circumstances, could sustain his misfortunes with ease and 40018 de gaiety. His spirits, though not unyield om1075% DEM DIS ing, were abundantly elastic, and soon se |